1. NHS STAFF FACE JAIL FOR NEGLECT
NHS staff are to face jail if they neglect patients, the government announced last night. A new criminal sanction for “wilful neglect” will be introduced, covering staff who abuse or mistreat patients in their care. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt is to also propose that patients be allowed to register at any doctor's surgery they like, allowing people to sign up with a GP near work.
2. CAMERON 'IS GOD' SAYS REFUGEE LEADER
David Cameron has been described as “god” during a visit to Sri Lankan refugees. As the prime minister met Tamil refugees in the Sabapathy Pillai refugee camp in Jaffna, a camp leader said: "We believe in David Cameron as a god coming down to this part of the land so we believe he can make a difference. He is God and sent by God to us."
3. TERROR TRIAL TO BE HELD IN SECRET
The press and public are to be barred from a major terrorism trial, reports The Times. The trial will take place in unprecedented secrecy, with the names of the two suspects and the details of the plot they were allegedly involved in concealed. Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism command says the secrecy is essential for “strong operational reasons”.
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4. CHILDREN IN NEED RAISES £31M
Children In Need raised a record total of £31m last night, surpassing last year's on-the-night total of £26m. The six-hour fundraiser featured Doctor Who, JLS and the Eastenders cast. Olympic ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean went head to head in a special Strictly Come Dancing edition. Donations are expected to continue in the coming days.
5. CAMERON FUELS CLIMATE CHANGE ROW
David Cameron says Britain should keep cutting carbon emissions even if there is only a 60% chance they are causing climate change. He also connected climate change with disasters such as the Philippines tycoon, saying: “I’ll leave the scientists to speak for themselves about the link between severe weather events and climate change. The evidence seems to me to be growing.”
6. $80M SCIENTOLOGY CENTRE OPENS
The Scientology movement's new $80m headquarters has opened on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Scientologists consider the imposing building, which took 15 years to build, to be their equivalent of the Vatican. They will use it to try and “shift the creation of a new civilisation into overdrive”. It includes an anti-gravity simulator, a “pain station” and an “oiliness table”.
7. EVOLUTION PUTS KIDS OFF GREENS
Children are unwilling to 'eat their greens' due to evolutionary programming, say American researchers. The academics studied dozens of toddlers playing with various objects and noted they were far more reluctant to grasp plants than artificial items such as spoons. The researchers believe evolution has programmed children to be wary of flora as it may contain toxins.
8. MICHAEL GOVE SLAMS 'STUPID' COWELL
Michael Gove has described Simon Cowell as “irresponsible and stupid” after the music mogul joked that the secret to success is “to be useless at school and then get lucky”. The education secretary hit back, saying: “Teachers strive every day to ensure children understand the importance of learning, hard work and discipline. Simon Cowell’s comments undermine their efforts.”
9. STD FOUND ON FIFTY SHADES BOOK
Traces of herpes and cocaine have been found on a copy of EL James' bestselling erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey. Scientists in Belgium were investigating how many germs could be found on library books. The researchers said it would be impossible for people to contract herpes simply by reading the book and that there is no public health risk associated with libraries.
10. FOOTBALL: ENGLAND LOSE 2-0 TO CHILE
An experimental England side lost 2-0 to Chile in last night's friendly at Wembley Stadium. Manager Roy Hodgson gave England debuts to Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, as well as Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster. A goal in each half from Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez ended England's 10-match unbeaten run.
